B.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Entry into Practice)

Program Overview

Rowan University's Entry into Practice Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy prepares students with an associate degree for advanced study in respiratory care. The two-year program includes core coursework, clinical rotations, and advanced study in management, education, research, or clinical specialization. Graduates are eligible for the NBRC exam and careers as respiratory therapists in various healthcare settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Entry into Practice Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) at Rowan University is designed for individuals who have completed an appropriate pre-professional associate degree or equivalent college coursework that meets foundational, technical, and general education requirements. Upon acceptance into the program, students will complete two years (60 semester hours) of professional advanced study and clinical coursework to earn the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.

Objectives:

• To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs); and
• To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization).

Outline:

Course Schedule

The program's coursework is organized into 23 courses, totaling 60 semester hours. The course schedule can be divided into three phases: Core coursework: Students take a series of core courses in respiratory care, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and other relevant topics. Clinical coursework: Students complete clinical rotations in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Advanced coursework: Students take additional courses in respiratory care management, education, research, and other specialized areas.

Individual Modules

• RESP 09300 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Lecture
Introduction to the field of respiratory care, including history, ethics, and legal aspects; respiratory anatomy and physiology; and patient assessment and monitoring.
• RESP 09301 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Lab
Hands-on practice with respiratory care equipment and techniques, including oxygen therapy, nebulization, and mechanical ventilation.
• RESP 09302 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
Detailed study of the structure and function of the heart and lungs, including the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and pulmonary circulation.
• RESP 09303 Respiratory Care Pharmacology
Principles of pharmacology and the use of medications in respiratory care, including bronchodilators, expectorants, and antibiotics.
• RESP 09304 Critical Care
Management of critically ill patients, including respiratory assessment, ventilator management, and hemodynamic monitoring.
• RESP 09305 Clinical Practice I
Introductory clinical experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
• RESP 09306 Cardiopulmonary Evaluation
Advanced assessment of cardiopulmonary function, including pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and chest X-ray interpretation.
• RESP 09307 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and heart failure.
• RESP 09310 Principles of Ventilatory Support 1 Lecture
Principles of mechanical ventilation, including modes of ventilation, ventilator settings, and patient monitoring.
• RESP 09311 Principles of Ventilatory Support 1 Lab
Hands-on practice with mechanical ventilators, including setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
• RESP 09315 Clinical Practice II
Intermediate clinical experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
• RESP 09400 Introduction to Clinical Research
Principles of research design and methods, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• RESP 09401 Evidence-Based Practice
Application of research findings to clinical practice, including critical appraisal of studies and implementation of best practices.
• RESP 09402 Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care Lecture
Respiratory care of infants and children, including assessment, monitoring, and treatment of common respiratory conditions.
• RESP 09403 Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care Lab
Hands-on practice with pediatric and neonatal respiratory care equipment and techniques.
• RESP 09404 Respiratory Care in the Long Term, Home Care and Pulmonary Rehab Setting
Respiratory care in non-hospital settings, including long-term care facilities, home care, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• RESP 09410 Principles of Ventilatory Support 2 Lecture
Advanced principles of mechanical ventilation, including invasive and non-invasive ventilation, and management of complex respiratory conditions.
• RESP 09411 Principles of Ventilatory Support 2 Lab
Hands-on practice with advanced mechanical ventilation techniques, including bronchoscopy and tracheostomy care.
• RESP 09425 Clinical Practice III
Advanced clinical experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
• RESP 09435 Clinical Practice IV
Capstone clinical experience, including a rotation in a critical care setting.
• RESP 09450 Senior Seminar
Discussion of current issues in respiratory care, including ethical dilemmas, emerging technologies, and future trends.
• HCNV 07401 Interprofessional Teamwork in Healthcare
Principles of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare settings, including communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics.
• HCM 51101 Introduction to Healthcare Management
Principles of healthcare management, including organizational structure, financial management, and quality improvement.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student progress, including:

• Written exams
• Clinical skills assessments
• Research projects
• Presentations
• Portfolios

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced respiratory care professionals, including faculty members with clinical, research, and education backgrounds. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Small group discussions
• Laboratory demonstrations
• Clinical simulations
• Case studies
• Problem-based learning

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers as respiratory therapists in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Long-term care facilities
• Home care agencies
• Pulmonary rehabilitation centers
Respiratory therapists are responsible for providing a variety of respiratory care services, including:
• Administering oxygen therapy
• Operating mechanical ventilators
• Performing pulmonary function testing
• Educating patients about respiratory conditions
• Monitoring patients for respiratory complications
• Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Respiratory therapists play an important role in improving the quality of life for people with respiratory conditions and helping them achieve optimal respiratory health.